50 years later, Don Barber and the Dukes re-record 'I'll Be Blue' for YouTube

A half century ago, Don Barber and the Dukes recorded their song “I’ll Be Blue” at Riposo Recording Studio in Syracuse.

The song, co-written by Barber and band mate Chris Seyerle, was produced to WNDR host “Dandy” Dan Leonard. It reached No. 21 on the regional charts.

With Barber as lead singer and drummer, Seyerle on lead guitar, Bob Story on bass and David Blatchley on rhythm guitar, the band played record hops and block dances, finally becoming the house band for Leonard’s teen canteen at the Three Rivers Inn.

Barber tried for a taste of national touring fame, but that didn’t work out. He studied mortuary science and opened the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, just north of the village of Homer. Seyerle started a lighting company and toured with big bands, then opened a recording studio in Marathon. Story became a state trooper. Blatchley became director of communications for a large state agency.

“We all had our reality set in, none of us would be stars. We had to make a living doing something,” Barber says during a phone interview.

Last year, Blatchley brought the four to Seyerle’s studio. They recorded a video of “I’ll Be Blue” and posted it on YouTube.

“We monkeyed with this thing for over a year, adding various things,” Barber says. “It kind of took on its own life.”

The musical chemistry returned immediately.

“When the four of us sat down again, it was like we were having something to eat at the diner in Auburn after a gig 50 years ago,” he said.